[LowriderS10]

I know, I know...tons of threads about keys stuck in the ignition, however, I don't think this one has been covered yet.

Here's my situation:

The key worked flawlessly for a month or so...then got stuck in the ignition. Then one day it came out completely randomly...worked flawlessly for a couple of weeks and got stuck again.

A few hours ago, as if by magic, it slid out again and has been working perfectly since.

HOWEVER...this time, I switched over to my spare key in the hopes that it won't get stuck as it should be a less worn key...does that make sense? Is it the key or the ignition tumbler that determines whether it gets stuck?

Thanks!
T.

 

[LariRudi]

Not much, but here is what I know

My key is worn so BAAAAAADLY, that it is barely recognizable as a "key with bumps"; the bumps are worn down to almost NO BUMP..... thus it falls out, yet dependably opens the doors, the hatch [SW] and operates all that the ignition SHOULD...............AND.......... it FALLS out sometimes.

So, worn key, new key.....?????????? my WORN key falls out and I doubt that it will EVER get stuck.

Good luck,

LarryR : )

 

[Chaos9218]

Well my key almost always falls out lol my key dosent even go all the way in my ignition it sticks half way out all the time but works on doors and hatch fine

 

[juggalo]

the original key that was with my car is pretty much useless. it's all worn down and the black plastic end is gone and now the spare that i've been usin is worn but at least it's completely metal

 

[Intuit]

.... I switched over to my spare key in the hopes that it won't get stuck as it should be a less worn key...does that make sense? Is it the key or the ignition tumbler that determines whether it gets stuck? ....

It does seem rather counter-intuitive and perhaps an exploded view of the whole ignition assembly might shed some light. But since I had a good replacement made, my key has never gotten stuck again. First issue to appear was the chiming with the key out of the ignition. Highly intermittent at first. Gradually became more consistent and eventually a constant chiming. Don't recall how long but the other issuesss followed better than a month month after the chiming became constant.

As we know, the steering wheel lock security feature can have the side affect of locking the key in the ignition. They is also supposed to be locked into position if it hasn't fully returned to the OFF position. In some way or other, the worn key probably causes a malfunction in one or both of these mechanisms.

The key and the ignition work in a symbiotic relationship. The wrong key and it shouldn't work at all. A bad key and it may not work properly.

I do highly recommend that you not continue using your spare. The more you do, the more it will wear. Have a copy made and use that copy. Keep the spare as a "Master Key" for making future copies.

 

[LariRudi]

Who's key is the "most worn"?

the original key that was with my car is pretty much useless. it's all worn down and the black plastic end is gone and now the spare that i've been usin is worn but at least it's completely metal

I've gotta learn to take "close up" photos; we should have a contest as who's IS most worn............. I think I'd win........... but then on the other hand............. maybe YOU would.

But mine keeps working on all locations as it should.

LarryR : )

 

[juggalo]

so does mine

 

[LowriderS10]

Intuit: Thanks, that's not a bad idea...I'll pop down to Wal Mart or something and make a copy and see how that pans out

 

[LowriderS10]

hahaha...before I got to Wal Mart the key got stuck again...time for that new tumbler that's been kicking around in my bedroom for months

 

[Intuit]

Good that it decided to save you the trouble.

 

[LowriderS10]

haha and a few bucks lol...ugh...don't really want to drop that column...

 

[denisond3]

It only takes four bolts to let the column droop down. A 12mm socket will reach them; I think I used a deep socket. I suspect your lock cylinder has stuff in it - bits of metal, random bits of crud. But with Escorts, a new ignition assembly every dozen years is like normal maintenance.

 

[LowriderS10]

Thanks...my problem is...how the heck do I get the actual cylinder out? It has round bolts...that's the part that's kept me from actually doing it

 

[denisond3]

I really dislike those bolts. I have taken them apart on 2 Escorts. On one I used a hacksaw blade and made a slot in the top, so I could get a screwdriver on it. Tedious work. Even then I had to hold the screwdriver against the bolt pretty hard, and turn its shaft with pliers (it had a square shaft).
On the other one I used a small cold chisel. I hammered on the rim of the bolts - at an angle so as to -unscrew- them. As soon as it was loosened I could use pliers to turn them.
I didnt use the special 'tamper resistant' bolts when re-assembling, as I dont think most car thieves would want my Escort. Just used ordinary metric bolts from the hardware store.

 

[LariRudi]

Chimes?

I really dislike those bolts. I have taken them apart on 2 Escorts. On one I used a hacksaw blade and made a slot in the top, so I could get a screwdriver on it. Tedious work. Even then I had to hold the screwdriver against the bolt pretty hard, and turn its shaft with pliers (it had a square shaft).
On the other one I used a small cold chisel. I hammered on the rim of the bolts - at an angle so as to -unscrew- them. As soon as it was loosened I could use pliers to turn them.
I didnt use the special 'tamper resistant' bolts when re-assembling, as I dont think most car thieves would want my Escort. Just used ordinary metric bolts from the hardware store.

So when you poeple change out the ignition switch and key, do your chimes start telling the truth? I mean do they start behaving PROPERLY?

thx,

LarryR : )

 

[LowriderS10]

I just got in from doing it and it's EASY...took me half an hour without any idea what I was doing (never done this before).

At first I tried chiseling a guide into it for a flathead, but that was too tedious as I had to do it with a hammer and screwdriver. So...I took the hammer and screwdriver to the outside edges of the round bolts and slowly worked them loose...didn't take much at all.

Yes, everything works perfectly (chime, different positions on the tumbler, etc)...except for some dumb reason if I tighten one of the bolts on the plastic clamshell (the one that bolts into the bottom of the tumbler) it starts working...NO idea why...so I just loosely put that bolt in and it works perfectly

 

[denisond3]

In all 3 of my Escorts, the wire to the "key-in-with-door-open-chime" switch got cut (by me) right after I got the car. When I installed a new ignition switch last summer in the 92 wagon, I also cut that wire on the new ign. sw. So no chime - - - unless I leave the lights on and shut the motor off.

 

[LowriderS10]

Why? With no dummy locks (on my VW you can only lock the door with the key from the outside) I figure this might be a lifesaver one day!

 

[LariRudi]

Chime Situations

Why? With no dummy locks (on my VW you can only lock the door with the key from the outside) I figure this might be a lifesaver one day!

I see you post a lot, but I can't remmeber your "chime" situation. Mine, and a lot of others apparently have a NUISANCE chime that chimes ALL THE TIME................ EVEN WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO CHIME ABOUT, ha.

Not yelling, emphasizing how it drives us CRAZY............ take the key out, turn the lights off, go to exit the car, and the chimes go off............ come back to the car for something, open the door, and teh CHIME GOES OFF..................... ALL THE TIME.................. that's why lot's of people disable them.

No, I havn't disabled MINE yet, but I guess I'm able to kinduv "space it out", or lean my knee against the door switch to shut it off.

Yip, the chime was INTENDED to be a life saver, but mine hollers "wolf" all the time, so it's meaningless.............. I have to CONSCIOUSLY make a note to "check the lights" and make sure the "key is in my HAND" when I close the doors.

Hmmmm, sorry about the dissertation; guess my chime frustrated me and now I've relieved all that pressure inside me, ha.

Hey, LowRider, keep up the good work, and good luck with all your projects.

LarryR : )

 

[LowriderS10]

ahhhhhhhhhhhh THAT makes sense...nah, mine only chimes when I leave the key in or if I leave the headlights on. So no reason for me to disconnect it. I also saved all the electronics off my old ignition tumbler, so if it starts chiming, I'm simply going to swap them

Thanks...sadly I'm pretty much done with my car as far as modifications go. My new headlight bulbs are on their way, I'm ordering a set of lowering springs probably sometime this week and I'm always on the hunt for some Precidia seats, but other than that I'm set, I think...